Bluff Arts Festival to demonstrate the art of science and the science of art

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Oct 29, 2008 | 2535 views | 0 | 289 | |

Science and art are often treated as incongruent disciplines, yet at the 4th Annual Bluff Arts Festival, we will demonstrate the beauty, numbers and magic behind this year’s theme, “The Science of Art, the Art of Science”.

From November 28 through November 30, 2008, scholars, writers and visual artists will converge in the uncommon town of Bluff, Utah to share their thoughts on the intersection of art and science.

The festival starts off with a Friday afternoon lecture and hike with artist and archaeoastronomy expert, Joe Pachak, who will lead us “In Search of Twin Symbolism”.

Former director of the Albert Einstein Planetarium, Von Del Chamberlain, will join us that evening for a discussion of his latest thoughts on “The Eleventh Cosmic Direction” while Joe continues his discussion on “Bluff’s Sense of Place”.

Saturday is filled with activity beginning with our Walking Trail of the Artists, a leisurely stroll to a variety of venues spotlighting local painters, sculptors, photographers, and jewelry artists.

At these lighthearted receptions, you may visit with the artist, probing for the inspiration for their work. We are joined by regional artists and the Utah Science Center’s fabulous Leonardo on Wheels at our Art Fair, one of the stops on the Walking Trail of the Artists.

Leonardo on Wheels will allow you to participate in a flight simulation, create Duff-Art (a very interesting take on your backside) and Seeing YOUR Insides.

Utah’s Poet Laureate, Katharine Coles, the founder and co-director of the Utah Symposium in Science and Literature, will lead a writing workshop entitled “Writing What You Don’t Know”.

Later that evening, she will headline our ever-popular Poetry and Potluck event, a combination of outstanding local cuisine, fine acoustic guitar music by Kyle Bauman and local and international samplings of poetry. Katharine is joined by up-and-coming Navajo writer, Orlando White, as well as local poet and professional entomologist, Lorraine Nakai.

Sunday morning promises more interesting discussion. Our featured artist, JR Lancaster, will lead a discussion on his multimedia installations, “Skeleton Coast” and “Tree of Life”.

Professors Becky Monhardt and Jim Barta lead our grand finale, “Artful Expressions of Mathematical Beauty: Native American Cultural Connections”, using the exciting Navajo baskets and rugs of the Twin Rocks Trading Post as a backdrop and launching point for discussion.

Bluff is typically blessed with cool, beautiful weather, so prepare yourself to share in the best of Bluff, culturally, physically and aesthetically, by exploring the inner processes of the artistic mind and the outer reaches of our lovely landscape.

All events are free to the public although donations to our wonderful festival are greatly appreciated. Reservations are required for the Joe Pachak lecture and hike as well as the Katharine Coles writing workshop.

For more information, visit bluffutah.org/artsfest.htm, e-mail georgianasimpson@yahoo.com or call the director, Georgiana Kennedy Simpson at 435-672-2360. Please join us for a most extraordinary Thanksgiving weekend.

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